Poor health standards of the Traveller community have long been a concern for the health services and the SEHB are putting in place strategic measures to address these. The SEHB has a Regional Traveller Health Unit and Traveller Health committee in each Community Care area to respond to Traveller health needs.  This work is undertaken in partnership with the Traveller community. The key principles of Traveller health education, Traveller participation in the health services and a co-ordinated response to Traveller health needs, underpin the strategy.

 In partnership with FAS, VECs, the Dept. of Social, Community and Family Affairs and local Community Development projects the SEHB runs four Primary Healthcare projects at predevelopment or projects phase.  There are a further three pilot projects for Traveller women and four pilot projects for Traveller men in the South East region .The SEHB employs seven Public Health Nurses specifically for the Traveller community and six Traveller Community Health Workers, who are members of the Traveller community themselves.

 Liam Keane, Regional co-ordinator for Traveller Health says, “‘Improving Travellers Health in the South East’ is a report on the progress we have all made so far. It documents a very busy and committed effort to help the Traveller Community to reach the health standards enjoyed by the rest of our society.  There have been many positive developments and initiatives undertaken in recent years and I hope that we continue to strengthen our services and deepen our understanding of the specific health needs of travellers.”